China says it remains open to economic, trade talks with U.S.

China has maintained communications with its counterparts in the United States, and China's position has always been clear, which is having an open attitude toward economic and trade consultations with the U.S., the Ministry of Commerce said on Thursday.

The unilateral imposition of tariffs is entirely initiated by the United States, and whoever started the trouble should end it. China urges the U.S. to immediately stop extreme pressure and blackmail and resolve differences with China through equal dialogue based on mutual respect, the ministry said.

Meanwhile, as per reports, due to high tariffs imposed by the U.S., the European Union is making more efforts to reach free trade agreements with other regions.

The ministry said China and Europe are both advocates of economic globalization and trade liberalization and firm supporters of the World Trade Organization.

"This year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Europe. China is willing to work together with Europe to strengthen dialogue and communication, expand mutual openness and deepen practical cooperation," said He Yongqian, a spokeswoman for the ministry, during a news conference in Beijing.

China is willing to inject more certainty and positive energy into the world economy with the independence and stability of China-EU economic and trade relations, and jointly maintain the multilateral trading system centered on the World Trade Organization and based on rules, as well as maintain stable and smooth global industrial and supply chains, He said.